ANIMAL RESCUE NEW ORLEANS INC

Mission:
Established as animal first responders at Katrina, our mission is to provide no-kill shelter and medical treatment to the homeless cats and dogs of the street and the storms. We intake the too young, too old, injured and/or sick that could not survive otherwise. We promote spay/neuter of all companion animals and promote no-kill options within our region. Results:
Over 7400 healthy companion cats and dogs placed in loving, pre-screened homes. We successfully fundraise to keep our no-kill shelter running and financially healthy. Programs:
• Pet Retention Program to help low income persons retain and maintain their pets
• Feral Dog Rehab Program
• Foster Program
• Hospice Foster Program providing senior pets and/or pets with manageable and treatable diseases a loving home without the worry of veterinary costs that are paid for by our org.;
• Volunteer Program
• Trapping Program for feral cats to TNR (trap, neuter, return), at no cost to public

Photos

3 hours of volunteer time for this nonprofit will...

socialize dogs who have never known human kindness; walk, run and play with dogs for their enrichment; pet, brush and play with cats for their enrichment; clean kennels; do dishes (disinfect food & water bowls) and disinfect litterboxes; help at shelter with laundry or repairs.

3 hours of volunteer time for this nonprofit will...

socialize dogs who have never known human kindness; walk, run and play with dogs for their enrichment; pet, brush and play with cats for their enrichment; clean kennels; do dishes (disinfect food & water bowls) and disinfect litterboxes; help at shelter with laundry or repairs.

I have donated annually to the SPCA since 2000. I noticed that this was a no kill shelter and thought I would do some research. In doing my research, I came across a beautiful cat that I wanted to adopt. I filled out the application and the person reviewing the application said that I was denied because they could not locate records to the animals that I recently inherited this year (May and August) due to loss of my mother AND my brother. I have no idea where these records would be, but I have taken responsibility for their animals and given them a loving home. I wanted to adopt a cat and had to call back to find out the status because nobody called me. The woman I contacted was incredibly rude telling me that they sent me an email because she was copied on it. I asked what it said and she didn't want to tell me. I asked if she could resend it or tell me about it since I was supposed to have received it anyway. She then told me that I was denied. I asked why and she told me that she was at work and would not discuss it. So I asked her to call me back when she had a chance when she was not at work. She said ok, and about a month later, I'm still waiting on my phone call... I'm not holding my breath on that. Her name was Cathy...

(Ginny in the shelter was very kind and seemed to genuinely love animals and treated people kindly as well. She was the only person that wasn't unpleasant in my experience. )

It breaks my heart to see animals sharing a cage with other animals for MONTHS and this organization begging for money to fund their building and care for these animals when they won't allow these pets to go into a loving home and won't take the time to understand each individual case before deciding whether it not someone is worthy of a pet.

I do not recommend doing business with this organization because my application for a pet was handled poorly. The employee/volunteer that I spoke with was very disrespectful and condescending. She had also never heard of pet armor (same active ingredient as frontline), and she said that I needed records of using frontline on the pets that I inherited. Frontline and pet armor are two over the counter treatments that I would have to keep receipts for in order to adopt a pet... Ridiculous!

How do you feel you were treated by this organization?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I am so sorry you had a bad experience with anyone at ARNO. It is unfortunate when we have to turn down people who are applying for a pet, and I think that is where the hesitation came from on our part. No one likes to tell anyone bad news.
I assure you you were not turned down because of flea medicine. We require a recommendation from a vet if you have pets of any kind.
Also, unlike other shelters, we are volunteers so we all have jobs, whether during the day or night, and most cannot take calls when at work.
Again, we are sorry you had a bad experience, and hope you went ahead and adopted a cat from another shelter. They all need a home.
Charlotte
ARNO

I became aware of ARNO when I adopted a dog from this organization. ARNO is an all volunteer no kill facility. I donate dog food on a regular basis. Every time I arrive, there are volunteers taking the dogs for walks, others cleaning out the cages. Every time I go to a festival, ARNO volunteers are out there with pets to adopt. I am constantly amazed at the dedication these people have on an ongoing basis to care for the animals at the shelter.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

This is one of the few organizations I truly believe in. I have seen the wonderful work they've done and love and compassion they have for all animals is above and beyond . When I donate I truly feel my money is doing good . If a animal falls into arnos hands consider them lucky ,they will do there absolute best to care for them and to find them loving forever homes.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

When trying to find a lost cat .. I stopped in with hopes of looking for him and was told to leave flyer, but I couldn't go in to look at cats. The person I spoke with was less than friendly. Another person I know also had a bad experience with a less than friendly comment that was made to them when they were also searching for a lost pet. And even another when they were trying to find a place for a lost dog they had found.

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Mary, we are so sorry you had a bad experience with one of our volunteers. All I can think of is you possibly came during animal care, which is daunting when we are low on volunteers. That's part of the reason our public hours are from 3pm to 7pm.
I am sure you weren't the first person who came that day... sometimes there is a line outside of ARNO when we open up at 9am... it is depressing to not be able to help every single person or pet. And I know it can get the volunteers bummed and not in the best of moods.
If cat care going on, there is not much room while the volunteers clean the kennels, remove and change litter boxes, put fresh hammocks in, etc. So possibly that is why you were not let in to see the cats. But we all know when there is a new occupant, and we always put found pets on our facebook pages as well.
Again, sorry for you not being greeted and treated properly.
Charlotte/ARNO

Mary, we are so sorry you had a bad experience with one of our volunteers. All I can think of is you possibly came during animal care, which is daunting when we are low on volunteers. That's part of the reason our public hours are from 3pm to 7pm.
I am sure you weren't the first person who came that day... sometimes there is a line outside of ARNO when we open up at 9am... it is depressing to not be able to help every single person or pet. And I know it can get the volunteers bummed and not in the best of moods.
If cat care going on, there is not much room while the volunteers clean the kennels, remove and change litter boxes, put fresh hammocks in, etc. So possibly that is why you were not let in to see the cats. But we all know when there is a new occupant, and we always put found pets on our facebook pages as well.
Again, sorry for you not being greeted and treated properly.
Charlotte/ARNO

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I live in San Diego and read every day about ARNO and the wonderful group of volunteers. Sometimes I don't know how they get through the day with what they encounter. I have fierce respect for everyone involved. I share each story I receive on FB and when I'm not so broke I'll be able to donate. Thanks for everything you do to help these poor creatures.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I started my saga as a rescuer of cats after Katrina. I can't tell you how many wonderful hours I spent at ARNO is ungodly hot weather cleaning the kitty cages and talking to all the babies. It is certainly some of the best times of volunteering career. With little or no money they take as many animals as possible and try to find them homes. The surroundings are not perfect, but this is not a perfect world. If it was, there would be no strays and the shelters would have unlimited funds. ARNO does what it says "Saving one until there are none".

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Oh gosh with unlimited funds I'd have runs (inside and outside) for the dogs and huge kitty condos where the cats could be free to interact and play. I would also have air conditioning. That being said my only complaint was that too much was spent on emergency care for very sick animals. I feel that money could be spent more wisely helping many animals instead of one. BUT this is an opinion that many rescue organizations that are no kill do not agree with. It's just my opinion.

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?